The M4A3 was just one of several types of
tanks and tank destroyers built at Grand Blanc, MI during WWII.
The M4A3, M10, M36B1, M36B2, and M26 also
included in its output. For the
complete story on this important tank arsenal, see my Grand Blanc, MI
Tank Arsenal page shown above.

Fisher Body marked its serial numbers on the
rear towing eyelets. I have included photos of the serial number
for those M4A3s that I was able to photograph. In some cases, the
paint was too thick over the numbers, or the numbers were not legible.
For many, there was no evidence of a serial number. For the remaining, the readability of the
numbers ranges from minimal to excellent.

Both Fisher Body at Grand Blanc, MI, and Chrysler at Warren, MI
built the large hatch M4A3 Sherman tanks starting in February 1944 and
continuing until the end of the war. They were built in various versions. The
M4A3 tanks produced by the two companies are almost identical for
interchangeability in the field and are nearly impossible to identify
which company built it. Almost. Each company added welds on
either side of the transmission on the glacis which are different and
allows one to identify the manufacturer, if necessary. For
Fisher Body the weld consists of five individual welds that form a square.

The large hatch M4A3 became the preferred tank
of the US Army once it became available.

The five individual welds forming a square at the intersection of the
glacis and differential is the Fisher Body identification. A
Chrysler will have a "C" shaped weld.

Some Fisher Body Sherman M4A3 tanks have the
five weld beads in the vertical position.

Type: M4A3E8(76)
Serial Number: 4875x - x is either a 1or 4
US Registration Number: 30812348 or 30812351
Date Built: March 1944
Location: US
Cavalry Museum, Fort Riley, KS
Date of Photo: 9-18-2017
Date Photo added:10-2-2017
Comments: The patch on the front of the left side indicates this
probably suffered combat damage in Europe during WWII.

This Fisher Body built M4A3 seen at Fort Jackson, SC was originally
built in March 1944 with a 75mm main gun and VVSS suspension. It
was later converted to the 76mm cannon and HVSS suspension.
Originally it would have looked like the two M4A3's pictured below. Author's photo.

Type: M4A3E8(76)Serial Number: 62889
US Registration Number: 30115911 The number on the tank is
incorrect for this serial number.
Date Built: September 1944
Location: Museum of Missouri Military History, Jefferson City, MO
Date of Photo: 7-6-2017Added to page: 7-12-2017Comments: This M4A3(76) was originally built with a VVSS
suspension. The HVSS is post WWII modification added 2-14-1950.

The five welds identify this as a M4A3 built
by the Fisher Tank Arsenal in Grand Blanc, MI.

This is a photo of a photo on the curator's
laptop.

Serial number 62889 is evident on the data
plate.

The serial number is also evident on the tow
lug.

Type: M4A3E8(76)Serial Number: 62999
US Registration Number: 30116021
Date Built: October 1944
Location: American Legion Post 793, Cecil, PA
Date of Photo: 5-31-2017Added to page: 6-14-2017Comments: This M4A3(76) was originally built with a VVSS
suspension. The HVSS is post WWII modification.

Type: M4A3E8(76)Serial Number: 65944
US Registration Number: 30125266
Date Built: February 1945
Location: Fort Indian Gap Military Museum Vehicle Display, Fort
Indiantown Gap, PA
Date of Photo: 6-1-2017Added to page: 6-14-2017Comments: Manufactured as a M4A3(75)HVSS. It was a
great afternoon for photos for this M4A3(76), and the nine other pieces
of equipment on outside display at Fort Indian Gap.

The M4A3 was at the far end of this group of
five armored vehicles. From left to right: M1, M113, M60,
M46 and the M4A3.

The Fisher Body identification welds on this
M4A3 are the most distinctive I have seen on a Grand Blanc built M4A3.
This welder took pride in his work.